Day by Day

Description: The untold stories about the characters' life, from the beginning of the series to beyond the nationals (in this fanfiction, U-17 never happens), focusing on Seigaku. Later, I'll add two original characters as well. This is based on the manga.

Warning: This fanfiction revolves mainly around friendship but, since most of them are teenagers, they'll eventually experience the rollercoaster of emotions that is so typical of their age: romance, lust, grudge, discoveries, choices, and so on. Since I'm an open-minded person, there will be both hetero and homo relationships, as there is in real life. This isn't a 100% yaoi or 100% straight fiction. You've been warned.

The meaning of being a senpai

Leaning against the entrance wall, a spiked haired teen glanced towards the sky, watching the lazy movements of the clouds. Despite the exciting events that took place an hour before, the afternoon seemed to drag in a quiet slow motion, with the casual breeze blowing past the trees, making some flower petals dance through the air.

The school behind him was already submerged in silence, since most of the students were already gone. Only the decorations and the welcome sign gave off some of the festive vibes the beginning of a school year often brought with it.

Truth be told, Momoshiro Takeshi wasn't in one of his best moods when he woke up this morning. Due to a twisted ankle, he couldn't participate in a playing tour with his teammates and had to stay behind. Slowly, but surely, the festive vibe got him and he caught himself checking out some cute first year girls, goofing around with his classmates and 'helping' one lost freshman or two.

And when said freshman showed some great skills at tennis, things got much more interesting. He recalled Ryuuzaki-sensei mentioning a newcomer that could do the twist serve, so Momoshiro challenged the shorty to a match, despite his own injury. The cocky brat proved to be a worthy opponent, and had almost beaten him fair and square.

"Echizen Ryoma, huh?"

He made sure not to forget that name and promised himself that he would challenge Echizen again once he was completely recovered and make the younger boy use his dominant hand.

At this point, a noise caught his attention and he saw the shape of a white and blue bus making a turn at the street. He grinned and detached himself off the wall, waving at the bus. As soon as it stopped, a bundle of red hair dashed out off the door:

"Hoi~hoi! Ah, Momo-chan! You were waiting for us, nya~?"

"Of course, Eiji-senpai! I wanna know everything that happened at the tour, I really do! Down to the sordid details…" Momo winked playfully at his upperclassman, who flashed a cat-like grin in return. Even though Eiji was older than him and already a senior (from today onwards), he felt that the acrobatic player was his closest friend at school.

"Ah, Momo. How is your ankle?"

That was vice-captain Oishi, the pacific and reliable worrywart of the group.

"Much better, senpai. I even played against an inspiring newcomer."

"Momo! You shouldn't play until you are completely recovered!"

Laughing about Oishi's motherly tendencies, Kikumaru jumped at his doubles partner, putting his weight at Oishi's shoulders.

"Nyahaha… Don't be a worrier, Momo-chan is just fine, see?" Eiji pointed to Momo and returned to the ground "Ho~i!"

While Oishi continued to fuss about Momoshiro's ankle, the other regulars got off the bus. Fuji was smiling mildly interested at the scene, with Kawamura beside him. Inui was reading his notebook (or pretending to, no one could tell where he was looking at, with the thick glasses and all) and Kaidoh was facing the opposite way from his teammates. Kaidoh Kaoru couldn't care less about the peach-head and his idiocies.

A cough caught everyone attention and they moved to make a circle and hear what their captain had to say. Tezuka started talking:

"Since all the regulars are here, including Momoshiro, I wish to speak some words." Everyone got curious at this statement, since Tezuka was the straight-to-the-point kind of captain, and was rarely talkative like now.

"Today marks the beginning of a new school year, and another important step of our lives. From this day onwards, most of us will be seniors, meaning we will be the seen as the school's guiding examples…" Tezuka looked at each of the 3rd years in the eye.

Oishi and Fuji gave a soft smile. Kikumaru nodded his head energetically, saying "yup, yup" in the process. Kawamura scratched the back of his head, not sure he was good enough to be a 'guiding example'. Lastly, but not least, Tezuka could swear he saw a suspicious glint at Inui's glasses.

"… As for Momoshiro and Kaidoh, now you are considered senpais. Once, you were under the zealous guidance of your upperclassman. Now, you have matured and it's time to do the same to your kouhais…"

Momshiro's face beamed at this, while Kaidoh made a deep bow. Coming from their captain's mouth, this was a huge compliment and a great responsibility.

"… With that in mind, let's move forward without faltering!"

Everyone cheered at this (especially Eiji and Momo), and Oishi couldn't help but clap at Tezuka's speech. It was very moving and made him proud of his stoic friend. Under the stone façade, lied a very charismatic leader. It was one of the reasons he was appointed captain after all.

Notes:

1. Since most of the regulars missed the first day of school, I can totally picture Tezuka filling in for the teacher's speech. Sorry if that sounded a little OOC, but I'm not changing it.

2. English isn't my primary language, so beta readers are welcome.